Carnival at Gobi Desert
Macau Anglican College, Dominique Wolfsgruber, Fiction: Group 1
I
t is the carnival season in the Gobi Desert. The carnival is the most exciting party in the
desert. Many people around the world take part in it.
It was one day before the grand opening to be held at sunset on the following day. The
dunes were closed to camels so people could decorate the desert. On both sides of the main
carnival area, there were colourful lanterns and streetlights. Camels were decorated with red and
yellow saddles. People were rehearsing for the opening act of the carnival.
The seven years old girl, Abia was one of the Mongolian dancers who would lead the opening
dance in the carnival. She has been practising her dance over three months with the other twenty
four dancers. For the last week, the dancers practised every day for more than two hours. That
evening before the carnival, Abia was dancing so much that she sweated and her clothes became
wet. She caught cold on the way home. Her lips turned blue. Her eyes were watery. Abia was so
worried. She did not want to miss her performance in the carnival. Her father went to Ulan Batar,
the nearest town, to buy medicine. But every shop was closed, as people were busy preparing for
the carnival.
Later at night, Abia’s grandmother came for a visit. She brought some soup, made of ephedra
and honey. “I heard that you are sick, Abia. Therefore, I went out to get some ephedra. It is a
special plant which only grows in the desert, in the sandy soils under direct sunlight, near the
oasis. It is a natural medicine for fever and cold. It is perfect for you, Abia. Drink it all,” said
grandmother. “Thank you, grandma for the soup. It smells so good,” said Abia. She drank all the
soup, and started to yawn. Her grandmother stayed by her side until she fell asleep. In the middle
of the night Abia sweated, and the fever was gone.
The next morning, Abia woke up and took a shower. “I feel the strength and I am so excited!
Thank you for taking care of me,” Abia gave a kiss to her grandmother and got ready for her
dance. She drank her camel milk and ate cheese bread. After breakfast, Abia climbed up the camel
to ride with her father to the carnival area.
The carnival was wonderful and people talked about the opening dances for days. The
Balinese performed Kecak dance or known as Monkey dance. About 100 male dancers wearing
sarong, danced in a circle around a fire. There was a Tinkling dance from Malaysia, performed
by beautiful girls wearing long sparkling kebaya. Above all, the Mongolian children did a
spectacular opening dance, accompanied by live drums and banjo. Abia danced very well. She
was so proud of herself.
An amazing firework by China ended the splendid evening. Everyone went home with a smile.
Aiba kissed her grandmother and fell asleep next to her, in satisfaction.
